Arundel Castle

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Thomas Howard 14th Earl of Arundel, was out of the Country. Arundel castle was claimed by the Royalists.

Dec 17
1642

William Waller was marching on Chichester when he sent two troops to capture Arundel Castle which was garrisoned by about 100 Royalists. Some attackers rampaged through the town, some fired at the soldiers on the walls while a party of 36 soldiers stormed the gate. A charge was detonated on the gate and when it had been blown down the party charged through and captured the Castle

Dec 2
1643

Hopton besieges and captures Arundel.

Dec 20

Waller, after his victory at Alton, moved eastwards on to the Royalist garrison of Arundel Castle. His forces arrived on 20th December 1643 and laid siege to the castle.

Arundel Castle- an engraving of 1644

Jan 6
1644

The castle was finally taken on Jan 6th. Of 1,000 prisoners captured, 500 of them changed sides.

There was a great deal of damage ...

'The roofless apartments were left to moulder in neglect or sink beneath the ravages of the elements.'

The castle as it is today.